Wouldn't you know it? Driving about today, a rock comes flying from a truck somewhere in front of me...sounded like a loud impact but didn't see any apparent damage at the time.

Well, I get home and see some dirt on the windshield and try to clean it...doesn't come off from the inside. So, I go and try to clean it from the outside. Then I see the crack.

The impact from the rock is clearly visible. In the black strip near the top of the windshield a little towards the drivers side. A crack has formed and reached the top of the windshield vertically from the impact. It also goes down a few inches from the impact and then heads towards the passenger side for a few inches and stops at the middle of the windshield behind the rear view mirror.

Any advice on how I should get it repaired? I'm worrying that the replacement won't be up to the original fit and finish. I say this from previous experience. Not to mention the cost. Will see what my options are through insurance tomorrow.

I called the dealer asking what they do and using original windshield replacement from Kia. The service rep said they farm it out to a glass company and have no involvement in the repair.

I had a warranty replacement windshield on my previous vehicle (Rondo), as you stated the dealer farmed it out to a glass installation specialist. When it was returned it was as if it was never replaced - the job was perfect.

Spongebob, thanks for the note about the windshield de-icer. I was aware of that and will make sure to point it out when replacing the windshield.

Conwelpic, do you know what glass specialist was used? Did you go through the dealer or did you deal directly with the glass specialist? If you went through dealer, did he mark up the cost from the glass specialist?

The previous windshield replacement I had done on a Jeep Cherokee I owned was over 10 years ago at a Speedy Auto Glass location. They had cut some of the interior trim for the windshield...not sure why it was required or if it was required.

I had a look around the Sorento windshield and there are rubber trim pieces around sides and bottom. Top edge is odd as it is "exposed". I'll try to post pics.

If it's as if it was never replaced, I'll be happy. I'll stress to the installers that it must be back to factory spec and see what they say.

Make sure the rubber trim matches the original in size and fit.
Take a picture of the original before replacing the windshield so you can compare the fit.
Some glass shops use a "general purpose" material and interlocking rubber trim won't match. To get an "exact" replacement you could go to a salvage yard and find a donor with KIA/Hyundai Glass.
Dave

Same happened to me at about 1500 miles. I made sure that the glass company knew I wanted an OEM windshield from Kia, and I supplied them with the model #'s/etc on the windshield itself. I had to wait a week extra, but they got a Kia one in for me.

In MA, we get windshield coverage as part of our insurance package, so no out of pocket cost to me in this case.

I went through a Kia dealer to make sure it was back to factory condition and had recourse if I wasn't satisfied.

Arrived at the scheduled appointment time but glass tech was not available until later to start the work. They called him when I arrived. I was going to wait but it would be too long since the tech wasn't there yet. I thought making the appointment meant that's when they were going to start?

When the new windshield packaging was opened, they found the glass was broken. Does this kind of stuff happen to anyone else? You'd think they would check it before shipping and after receiving the part, for quality control...especially when it's for a scheduled appointment. They called for "emergency" next day part delivery and it arrived the next day. If they could get a windshield the next day, why did I have to wait a week? I had to reschedule another appointment to install 3m paint protection film because of the unexpected delay. They gave me a free loaner...Mazda 3, probably from a "sister" Mazda dealer.

Had a migraine after I was told about the broken replacement windshield...still feel like carp. They didn't call me to keep me up to date. Only when I called back to check on progress about an hour before I was scheduled to pick it up was I told. Same thing today...I had asked to be called and kept informed. I had to call. I called first thing to make sure glass had arrived and car was being worked on. I called a couple of hours later to ensure it was complete and no issues had come up. It's happened before, if you don't call or keep on them, they'll work on some other car.

Am I asking too much when I ask for a phone call to be kept informed of progress? The customer is going to call anyway. They have dedicated people to keep on top of the service being done. I don't think I'm asking for too much for calls to be kept up to date and I don't think they are so busy that they can't make time to call. It was interesting that when I phoned the last time, while talking to one service rep the other one was trying to call me. When paying, they didn't know how to handle me paying only for part of the bill and insurance paying for the remainder...you'd think they deal with insurance companies all the time.

Sorry about the long post and the complaining. It's back to factory condition so I'm satisfied.

In the USA, I'd go through my auto insurance company glass replacement co. with or w/o my deductible.....

as mentioned above next time you might want to go through local auto glass company its the same quality as OEM and less hassle than going to the dealer and with the proper negations you can get the glass at what they would charge the dealer as there is quite a mark-up.